Picasa Web Albums

Karmê Chöling dathün 2012

These are my pictures taken during the last two days at the Karmê Chöling winter dathün 2012 and are available for sharing. My Olympus C3030 digital isn't the best for indoors. The flash tends to be too bright, which, anyway, makes for rather vividly bright colors after standard corrections.

Jan 30, 2012

Photos: 21

@Buffalo Shambhala

Members of the Shambhala Meditation Group of Buffalo, N.Y. enjoy post-reading and -discussion herbal tea and Christmas confectionaries at their weekly Thursday night meeting at the C.G. Jung Center on Franklin St. in Buffalo New York.

Jan 5, 2012

Photos: 7

OCCUPY Us 2012 (9 slides)

OCCUPY Us 2012 Buffalo, NY - 8:00 AM January 1, 2012 - There may be only one "Occupy" encampment in the USA at this moment and that camp is at Niagara Sq. in Buffalo, NY, U.S.A.

Jan 1, 2012

Photos: 9

Taktshang Goemba Trek - Bhutan 2011

Bhutan's most venerated pilgrimage site, 'Taktshang' (or Taktsang - literally as "Tiger's Lair') Goemba (monastery) is a complex of seven temples at 3,120 metres asl perched atop an 800-m almost vertical sheer rock-faced cliff. It is built over caves where legend says Indian Guru Padmasambhava flew to on the back of a tigress and meditated in the 8th century, establishing Buddhism there, and numerous other Buddhist saints (including tertön Chögyam Trungpa) have meditated or attained realization there. After a climb along a mule track through a mossy prayer flag festooned pine forest a further arduous 45 minute trek down and up the ravine cut by the Paro Chu (river) affords spectacular views of the goemba complex, valley walls, waterfalls, river, and plains downstream and you pass the checkpoint to the final ascent to the temples. (April 5, 2011).

Apr 4, 2011

Photos: 55

A Chöd Experience - Bhutan 2011

Description to follow ... (31 March - 2 April Boudha, Nepal; 3-12 April 2011 Bhutan - 108 photos + 1 movie)

Mar 31, 2011

Photos: 109

Su Bote Chan Burmese Refugee School Visit (Mae Sot, Thailand)

For many, there is no easy road to freedom. I witnessed this predicament first hand in seeing the situation faced by Burmese refugees along the border with Burma (Myanmar) near Mae Sot, Thailand. Burmese have fled political repression, infighting and joblessness in their own country for a better life though under refugee conditions that many consider exploitation. They fear returning to their homes and they can go no further into Thailand or elsewhere. They have No Easy Road to follow. They have hopes, and the hopes of their children are being looked after with the founding of a refugee Su Bote Chan children's school by a 'father', a westerner journalist and now a good friend with a vision to see the children he saw playing near a dirty river have a daily routine that may help them on their way to a better life.

Dec 1, 2010

Photos: 18

Kalaw to Inle Lake 3-day Trek

Our 3-day 37-km Inle Lake region trek begins in one of the best trekking starting points in Myanmar's Southern Shan State, the hill town of Kalaw in Taunggyi District, popular with the British during colonial rule. Our intense hike of 6-8 hours per day walking takes us past rice paddies and over hills through numerous tribal villages including Pa-O, Palaung, Danu, Taungyo, Kayah, Taungthu and Danaw who inhabit the surrounding mountains. We stayed in traditional simple houses of wood and woven bamboo on stilts and prayer halls of monasteries and saw weaving and farming of tomatoes, beans, cauliflower, cabbage, eggplant, garlic, onion, betel, melon, papaya and banana and ate delicious local vegetarian meals. In Inthein we boarded long tail boats for an excursion through inlets to Inle Lake past floating markets and gardens, temples and lake dwellers to the end of our trip in the 'backpackers' town of Nyaung Shwe.

Aug 24, 2010

Photos: 76

Pyin U Lwin

The former summer capital of the Britsih colonial administration until the end of British rule in 1948, hill station Pyin U Lwin (former name Maymo) lies at about 1000 m altitude almost 2 hours by back of motorbike (67 km) northeast of Mandalay along highway 3 before it climbs steeply into the green hills of the Shan plateau towards Hsipaw and Lashio (the Burma Road). Pyin Oo Lyin is famous for its fruits and vegetables, jams and fruit wines, a burgeoning new coffee industry, scattered waterfalls, famous temples, and noticeable presence of academy bound soldiers of the junta's Tatmadaw. With numerous guest houses and ideal picnic spots Pyin Oo Lwin's cool alpine climate provides a great escape any time of year whether from the humidity of Yangon or the hot dusty plain of congested Mandalay.

Aug 22, 2010

Photos: 17

Magnificent Mandalay II - Mandalay Hill

You can avoid the 240-m climb to the top of Mandalay Hill with transport to the escalator, or choose among four zaungdans, including the 1729-step "two chinthes ascent" meritoriously climbed here past the gigantic, famous, golden 'Byadeippay' standing Buddha symbolizing his legendary prophesy for the great city of Mandalay. Spectacular panoramic views of the Mandalay city, palace and plain stretching far into the horizon await from the tiled terrace of the magnificent glittering green and gold glass mosaic Sutaungpyei (wish fulfilling) Paya. Encounter the throng of devotees and tourists witnessing the wondrous sunset over the river, plains and the western hills ...

Aug 20, 2010

Photos: 23

Magnificent Mandalay I - Zooming in on Mandalay

Myanmar's last royal capital (shifted to Yangon in 1885 under British control) and second largest city, Mandalay, is upper Burma's main commercial center. According to the legends, Lord Buddha had prophesied that a great city, where his teachings would flourish, would be founded at the foot of its namesake, Mandalay Hill. The places around Mandalay held the centre position for quite a long time in the long history of dhammarajas throughout central and eastern Myanmar. Much of present day Mandalay is relatively modern as founded per Lord Buddha's prediction in the year 1857 and inaugurated in 1859 by King Mindon, beginning a plethora of building activity of magnificent temples devoted to the teachings, splendid monasteries and palaces, those surviving allied aerial bombardment of Japanese occupied sections during WWII being meticulously maintained until this day.

Aug 19, 2010

Photos: 31

Buddha 'On the Rocks' - via Bago (Mount Kyaiktiyo - Burma)

A two day pilgrimage from Yangon to Myanmar's holiest shrine, the delicately balancing Golden Rock, atop Mount Kyaiktiyo, by way of Bago (Pegu), a former capital and unique complex of religious sites.

Aug 14, 2010

Photos: 68

Refulgent Yangon

Abandoned as the national capital by Myanmar's ruling military junta (SLORC), Yangon remains Burma's largest city and most important commercial center since establishment by the British colonial gov't in the mid-1800's. Radiant gold covered spires characterize its landscape of monuments honoring its Buddhist culture. Originally founded as Dagon in the 6th century AD around Singuttara Hill at the convergence of the Yangon and Bago Rivers by the Mon of Lower Burma the city is particularly noted for Myanmar's single most important religious site, the spectacular Shwe Dagon Paya. Yangon is a melting pot of British, Burmese, Chinese, and Hindu influences, and while modernizing strives to preserve its colonial heritage from overdevelopment of modern day hotels, apartments and shopping malls.

Aug 12, 2010

Photos: 44

Song of Shambhala (Roerich Gallery, NY)

On a "run" to Manhatten to and from the Catskill Mountains, I had left Bangkok with an urgent desire for PEACE. Peace, in the mind, may not be found in a painting, but my search brought me to the UWS museum of the famous Russian theosophist, writer, and artist of over 7000 paintings, Nicholas Roerich (1874-1947). His 1923 expedition to remote areas of Central Asia found him an inexhaustible source of inspiration from the East's abundant cultural heritage. He integrated somewhat mythic visions of Shambhala into his life-work's quest to unite all the spiritual strivings of the fractious world. Roerich believed that Shambhala, in a secret deep Himalayan valley realm, is the earthly link to heaven guarding its mysteries until its King leads an unconquerable army of warriors in a last battle against the forces of evil. However we get ourselves to that final peace of enlightment, Roerich's Shambhalan visions through his skillful writing and art is profoundly inspirational.

May 18, 2010

Photos: 10

Mahabodhi Mahavihara, Bihar

The magnificently ornate world-heritage Mahabodhi Mahavihara in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India is the most revered Buddhist pilgrimage shrine in the world commemorating where Prince Siddharta spent 49 days after attaining enlightenment after meditating beneath the Bodhi Tree thus becoming the Lord Buddha. Bustling day and night, throngs of reverent pilgrims and fascinated tourists from all over the world exuberantly absorb it's serene ambiance and hypnotic spiritual significance. This spectacular monument is the spiritual centerpiece of Bodhgaya, the primary stop along the "Buddhist Circuit" also including Sarnath, Lumbini, Kusinara, Rajagira, Nalanda, Vaishali, Savatthi and Sankisa. Hearing the chants and exploring the Mahabodhi Temple's paths, courtyards, shrines, gardens, parks, lotus pond, and votive stupas was an intensely inspiring and sublime experience. I hope yours is, too (take the slide show) ...

Oct 22, 2009

Photos: 54

Tawang

Although never actually a part of Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh and its Tawang District, in particular, is strongly culturally Tibetan Buddhist. Gompas, prayer wheels and flags, stupas, chortens, and mani walls adorn the countryside. Tawang is home to the second largest monastery in the world. More than a center of Lamaistic Mahayana faith, Tawang fullfills the heart of nature lovers as a remote biodiversity hotspot with glimmering glacial lakes, captivating Himalayan Mountain ranges with sparkling snow on the peaks interspersed with glimmering glacial lakes, is incised by raging streams and rivers, all connected by narrow winding mountain roads. In November 2009 the Dalai Lama visited this Tibetan border region. He planted saplings near a tree that he had planted while staying there as a refugee in 1959. His visit has infuriated Beijing who insists that Tawang is a part of Tibet and therefore belongs to them.

Oct 1, 2009

Photos: 92

West Kameng (Balukpong, Bomdi-la, Dirang and Rupa)

Photos From Balukpong, Bomdi-la, Dirang and Rupa in West Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh, India.

Sep 26, 2009

Photos: 44

Charming Karmê Chöling

After attending a 5-day "Vajrayana Journey" seminar it was Homecoming Weekend May 23 to 24, 2009 at the tranquil Karmê Chöling meditation retreat center in the wooded hills of the Green Mountains of Barnet, Vermont. Karmê Chöling is one of the oldest and most renowned Buddhist retreat centers in North America, founded in 1970 by the Tibetan Buddhist meditation master, scholar, artist, poet and founder of Shambhala Buddhism,the late Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. I took the opportunity to photograph some of the ordinary and sane magic of delightful, rustic Karme Choling - its contemplative dharma arts, calligraphies, object arrangements, serene setting and ecologically "green" environmental focus. I hope these photos bring both great enthusiasm to visitors and fond memories.

May 23, 2009

Photos: 27

Ganga River Rafting

A day of rafting down the Ganga River just above Rishikesh, India.

Mar 24, 2009

Photos: 14

Meghalaya Waterfalls and Hajo Hilltops

On the afternoon that we left Kaziranga we were informed that the road to Tawang had finally reopened. But we had already 'run out' of the 5+ days needed to get there and back so for our last 3 days we settled for visiting Shillong in Megalaya and then Hajo outside Guwahati onr our way to our flight back to Bangkok.

Nov 12, 2008

Photos: 21

Sivasagar Shivadol Mandir

Sivasagar (sometimes spelled 'Sibsagar') translates as 'waters of Shiva' from an attractive reservoir in Assam upon whose southern bank was built the finest extant trio of Ahom temple-towers including the 33 meter high Shivadol Mandir, and is thus an important center for Shiva pilmgrimage in India. It was the capital of Assam's pre-British rulers, the Ahoms, for six centuries and is thus considered the cultural capital of Assam.

Nov 10, 2008

Photos: 19

Wild Grass Safari at Kaziranga National Park

THANKS to Deepak at Wild Grass, Bimi , Benjia, and Konwar in Kaziranga for ALL their help in making my and Gail's trip to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam so wonderful and in particular for the illuminating visit including the exciting safaris by Wild Grass Lodge at UNESCO World Heritage Kaziranga National Wild Life Park.

Nov 10, 2008

Photos: 44

Ferry to Dibrugar

We arrived at the border checkpost into Assam from Arunachal Pradesh at Oriamghat. The road was blocked. We were told that Assam was "at war" with Arunachal Pradesh and vehicles were not allowed to enter Assam from there. We saw no weapons or hint of violence, just a manifesto tied to a tree. Gail pleaded that we were tourists on our way back to our home countries and we should have no part in the war. We were let through to the lonely ferry on a sand bank, as well as one other tourist vehicle - and that was welland lucky for us, as there was only room for two on the daily "milk run" to Dibrugar, Assam.

Nov 9, 2008

Photos: 27

Logging Along to Pasighat

The LP guide was correct, the entire drive from Dapo to Along then on to Pasighat peacefully wound on and on through lush forest landscapes, thick rice paddies, and the thatched shaggy traditional homes of Adi and Apatani tribal villagers on our way out of the mountains to Pasighat to catch the ferry across the Brahmaputra River valley back into Assam. A proboscidean logging crew along the way provided some entertainment (see movie).

Nov 8, 2008

Photos: 20

Road to Menchukha

Tibetan Menchukha, far north reaching the border in the Along District in West Siang has remained a “sensitive” area since being used as an airbase against China in the 1962 War. The road to Menchukha only opened in 2003. We felt as if we were some of the only tourists to have ever traveled there. It was a great discovery. Menchukha was as wonderful as Bomdila/Tawang would have been.

Nov 6, 2008

Photos: 47

Ziro-ing in on Along

We left Tezpur to begin FIRST what WAS to be our second "Arunachal Tribal" circuit, as the road to Bomdila and Tawang was closed due to landslides, and eventually we added a few extra days to this "Tribal" circuit when we realized that the road to Bomdila would not be clear in time in order that we could afford 6 minimum days for the Tawang “Buddhist” circuit. Here we enter rustic, mountainous Arunachal Pradesh into Itanagar then take the "shortcut" to Ziro, then overnight in Daporijo on the way to Along.

Nov 2, 2008

Photos: 52

Good Morning Darranga (on the Way to Tezpur)

The weather was clear skies and sun for all but the last of our 11 days in Bhutan. But as we exited India at the Foreigner's Registration Office, C.P. Darranga, into Assam on our way to Guwahati for two days before then leaving for Tezpur, a Bay Of Bengal Cyclone 'Rashmi' triggered severe thunderstorms throughout the region. These storms would later cause landslides in the Bomdila/Tawang region that "put to the shredder" our next two week's plans. But was it good timing? The roads were closed by landslides before we COULD have been stranded above Bomdila! And we also had the fortune of lucky timing to have LEFT Guwahati the day BEFORE the serial terrorist bombing attacks in Guwahati on October 30, 2008.

Oct 27, 2008

Photos: 13

Beautiful Bhutan III (Trashi Yangtse to Samdrup Jonkhar)

Beautiful Bhutan III - Trashi Yangtse to Samdrup Jonkhar:

Oct 24, 2008

Photos: 84

Beautiful Bhutan II (Bumthang to Mongar)

Beautiful Bhutan II - Bumthang to Mongar: Every day was CLEARLY our lucky day on our way through dense forests into eastern Bhutan to passes (La) with magnificent Himalayan mountain views, past fluttering prayer flags, commemorative chortens, hearing the the DINGS of perennial stream-driven prayer wheels, encountering thriving monasteries, flowing through a land dubbed by many a Shangri La hidden deep in the mountains - a mythical abode, that maybe I'll be movin' to ;-). Many thanks to Pyem, Kinley and Ugyen at BEAUTIFUL BHUTAN TOURS beautifulbhutan@druknet.bt Contact # 00975-17111609.

Oct 22, 2008

Photos: 66

Beautiful Bhutan

Beautiful Bhutan I - Paro east to Trongsa: Only three hours in flight after leaving behind chaotic Bangkok we found ourselves mesmerized by the breath-taking splendor of Earth's greatest mountain range with a clear-sky's view of Mount Everest. Tranquility greeted us on landing in the remote, sparsely inhabited and visited, Buddhist, Himalayan-mountain Kingdom of BEAUTIFUL BHUTAN, tucked between the Indian subcontinent and Tibet. An hour later we were on our way with Bhutan guide and driver briefly visiting sites in Paro, Thimphu and Wangdue (missing the famous Tiger's Nest) on our way to our main objectives in East Bhutan (11 days-October 17-27, 2008). Our peregrinations found a Kingdom eagerly awaiting a royal inauguration, welcoming people focussed on happiness, rustic settings, comfortable accomodation, illuminating religious art (photography is generally NOT allowed inside the dzongs, lakhangs, and gompas) and delicious mostly vegetarian cuisine. Enthralled, I will return ...

Oct 17, 2008

Photos: 114

Abu Dhabi Desert Safari (& Belly Dance)

Enjoy a few pictures and a movie from a weekend stopover in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the highlight of which was a late afternoon/early evening desert-dune jeep safari (was I riding the NYSE?) and after barbecue belly dance. Don't miss the movie.

Oct 11, 2008

Photos: 14

Tashi Delek Barcelona

The Lama suddenly just sat next to me on the train from the airport to my hotel in Passeig de Gràcia. Did he know I was also on the way to the Himalayan kingdoms? I accepted Thubten's gracious offer to dodge the morning rush hour traffic one early September 2008 Friday and visit the very COLORFUL 'Casa del Tibet' in Barcelona, Spain.

Sep 26, 2008

Photos: 10

Postcard From Paris

I left New York City for Paris just days after I had sat in a lower Manhattan apartment and watched the first Sunday evening announcements of the financial and insurance firm bankruptcies and mortgage lending bank failures and debt-doubling 700 billion dollar taxpayer bailout of the 2008 Global Financial Breakdown that were sending worldwide stock markets into a tail spin. It WAS a little embarrassing to us obviously American, khaki-clad group walking around Paris's spectacular monuments and museums. "Don't stand (in line) behind the Americans, hahaha", joked one Scottish sounding gent both humorously AND pointedly. But alas, there was ONE thing, anyway, American in Paris, to still be proud of - an entertainer, whose iconic performance was enjoyed as much as all the intriguing Paris sights shown here.

Sep 19, 2008

Photos: 50

Home Improvement, Canada

ATTENTION!!! It is habitable again, and almost completely finished and ready for you all, it's the Cottage in Bay Beach, Canada.

Sep 11, 2008

Photos: 12

Nara Osaka 08

It was another chance to stop in Japan on the way back to America. Osaka isn't TOO exciting. The city shuts down well before midnight when the last trains leave to take everyone home to sleep to get up for their jobs the next day. Still it is rich in Japanese culture and Nara is a very short train ride away.

Aug 22, 2008

Photos: 20

Samuii Snaps

In between scuba diving on Koh Tao and the Koh Phagan Full Moon Party I was hanging out at the Marine Bungalows on Samuii Beach and grabbed the C3030 one afternoon ...

Jul 13, 2008

Photos: 17

Splendant Luang Prabang

The UNESCO 'World Heritage' designated town of Luang Prabang is an extremely pleasant place to visit as it rapidly develops without yet being spoiled by the ravages of "westernization". What were abandoned neighborhoods since the Indochina wars, years ago, are fast refurbishing into into comfortable guest houses, elegant restaurants, interesting stores and art galleries, while leaving intact the multitudes of historic Buddhist temples and flourishing monasteries. The scenic Mekong river provides a and rustic lure for the adventourous traveler. We stopped in LP from 8-11 March 2008 on our way from the Lao capital of Vien Chang to further adventures north.

Mar 7, 2008

Photos: 37

Burma Rising

Here are pictures taken during my two-week trip to Burma (Myanmar) in the second half of February 2008.

Feb 20, 2008

Photos: 18

Infiniti Tibet

Our early Fall '07 tour of Lhasa and environs that will never be forgotten. Spectacular photos of splendid cultural landmarks and outdoor scenery follow. Captions will follow, too, AFTER I ever really figure out how they work here.

Oct 20, 2007

Photos: 173

Lahaul & Spiti

The arid, Himalayan Lahaul and Spiti valleys in Himachal Pradesh, India shape one of the highest, most remote, still road-accessible (summer), regions of stark high mountains and narrow valleys in India. Our hired-Sumo travels in this region during 6 weeks in the summer of 2006 over narrow, dizzying, treacherous roads revealed spectacular mountain/valley scenery, enlightening ancient Hindu and Buddhist religious treasures and scenic, remote villages. This captioned travelogue begins in Shimla traveling east to Kinnaur near China then north to Nako lake and village. But the road to Tabo was impassible due to a landslide. We 'detoured' by backtracking around the entire region back through Rampur, Manali, then into and out of Tabo along the northern route. We continued to Keylong before returning to Manali and exploring the Kullu valley south to Mandi then north along the Kangra valley and beyond to the Chamba valley before finally returning to Dharamsala.

Sep 6, 2006

Photos: 167

Nara

Nara Favorites from Summer 2005 Railpass Trip to Japan

Sep 20, 2005

Photos: 4

Devas and Tenbu (Nikkō)

Their beastly hellish looks seem to belie the significance of these Devas and Tenbu (Tenpos) towering over the entrance to Japanese Buddhist temples as guardians of the Buddhist universe and law. As flash photography is forbidden (protection) the shadows in these pictures were reduced using digital photo techniques (captions/tags need confirmation and your input).

Aug 15, 2005

Photos: 8

Chinese New Year - Bangkok Chinatown 2005

Colorful Chinese New Year's Celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand February 10, 2005

Feb 10, 2005

Photos: 13

Sunrise Sunset

Sunrises and Sunsets from Around Asia

May 14, 2004

Photos: 16

Burma Dive Safari

Burma Dive Safari DVD Snapshots I like to go with the German-owned diveboats. They are out to see the sharks.

Mar 7, 2004

Photos: 68

Taj Mahal

I FINALLY made it to see the Taj Mahal!

Aug 27, 2003

Photos: 3

Beijing 2003 (A Great Wall)

My tourist visa was already issued, my plans made and my air travel ticketed. Then Beijing was virtually shut down as a result of the 2003 SARS epidemic. It would be another YEAR before I could go to Beijing again. So I went anyway! And while you might think traveling to Beijing then to visit a Chinese friend was a little dangerous, I found the trip to be most exhilarating, We were THE ONLY ONES going up that day. Yup, there was NOT ONE OTHER PERSON anywhere to spoil the pictures. NO other camera wielding tourists. NADA. Someone was right! It was a Great Wall ..It was unbelievable and here are the photos ...

Jun 3, 2003

Photos: 16

Angkor 1990s

Of my three visits to Siem Reap, Cambodia in 1993, 1997 and 2002 I have only managed to salvage photos from a few pre-2000 "photoCDs" after shutter failures, the 1998 portable disk crash and the 1997 tinged "local" rolls of film. In 2002 I was SO disparaged by the situation there that I did not bother with photographing tourists photographing tourists. However, my photoCDs converted to standard formats (with NO help from "the website"), very accurately recall the memories and insights of my own resulting from these travels to the vast ruins of the Khmer, “Temples of Angkor” complexes of Cambodia. These magnificent millennium-old monuments to the Eastern perspective disappeared from historical memory for more than a half-century until re-discovered about 100 years ago, Their builders hadn't yet the sense to build the arch, but they had no problem with a flourishing empire's huge labor force. Uncovered from the forest that cloaked them they re-appeared once-again in 1993 to foreign t

Jun 1, 2003

Photos: 23

My Dao Hai Phong Paintings

Vietnamese Artist Dao Hai Phong Paintings - mixed media / acrylics on paper 78 cm by 58 cm.

Sep 9, 2002

Photos: 7

Paul S.
photos

Linked Galleries View All

	Lazy Trekker photos
	Mike photos
	Richard Barrow photos
	Kaushik Ghosh photos